Mariah Thomas, a 26-year-old mother from Kansas City, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child after her 1-month-old baby was found dead with apparent burns and thermal injuries.
Thomas allegedly placed the infant in the oven instead of the crib, claiming it was an accident.
Prosecutors wrote that the police “were told the mother of the child was putting the child down for a nap and accidentally placed the child in the oven instead of the crib.”
Thomas allegedly said, “I thought I put (infant’s name redacted) in her crib, and I accidentally put her in the oven.”
The police are treating the case as a suspicious death and are gathering evidence.
Kansas City Police said, “This is a suspicious death investigation at this time.”
Adding, “Detectives want to make sure to gather all evidence with this opportunity, to ensure the case is able to be investigated in the event the medical examiner rules the cause of death a homicide.”
If convicted, Thomas could face a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison.
The tragic incident has been acknowledged by the prosecutor’s office, expressing trust in the criminal justice system to address the circumstances appropriately.
Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said, “We appreciate all first responders who worked this scene and the prosecutors who went to the scene in order to issue these charges,” Baker said in a statement.
“We acknowledge the gruesome nature of this tragedy and our hearts are weighted by the loss of this precious life. We trust the criminal justice system to respond appropriately to these awful circumstances.” she continued.
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